Ramifications of Sleep Deprivation and Stress on Juvenile Epilepsy

Abstract

According to recent studies, there is a correlation between stress, sleep deprivation, and elevated levels of epileptic activity among the adult population. An increased presence of either sleep deprivation or stress within epileptic adults typically supports the correlation between stress and sleep deprivation and elevated levels of epileptic activity, showcasing them at an increased risk for experiencing an increase in epileptiform discharges, spike waves occurring in the form of a single discharge that is typically associated with epilepsy and seizures. Researchers have demonstrated that the presence of sleep deprivation and stress is a significant indicator for increased levels of epileptic activity in the adult population, however, they have yet to conclude whether the trend exists within adolescent populations diagnosed with epilepsy, specifically from the ages of 5 to 18. A qualitative study, an interview, and a questionnaire procedure with 47 respondents and 5 interviewees that were adolescents diagnosed with epilepsy and asked questions concerning three themes: (1) The presence of Stress in Juvenile Epilepsy, (2) REM Sleep Duration, (3) Academic and Societal Pressures. The results of the analyses concluded that I found the facilitation of increases in the epileptic activity to correlate with an increased presence of sleep deprivation and stress within adolescents with epilepsy, as it heightens the risk for seizures.